A few of our team members have training in applied neuroscience to incorporate biofeedback into our intervention services.Psychological functioning is strongly associated with physiological functioning.Prolonged exposure to stress, leads to changes in the central nervous system resulting in, for example, the symptoms of depression.To alleviate the depressive symptoms, antidepressants may be prescribed by a doctor toreduce the stress response of the brain. As an adjunct approach, capacity for improved mood may be improved by non-invasive activation of theleft frontal cortex via EEG biofeedback; and cardiovascular health could be promoted with improved heart rate variability (HRV) via controlledbreathing.

EEG biofeedback (aka Neurotherapy) is emerging as an effective adjunct to traditional methods used in therapy for clinical health difficulties and in training toward performance enhancement. Neurotherapymay emerge to be an alternative to conventional psycho-pharmaceutical approaches for treating neurocognitive and neuro-behavioural disorders.

What is Neurotherapy (NFB)?

NFB involves the individual viewing their brainwaves on a computer screen, thus giving them the ability to influence and change them. In a session, sensors are pasted on the subject’s head. (Nothing is sent into the head. EEG is simply measured and monitored.) Brainwaves are then displayed on one computer where the therapist monitors them, and on a second computer where they are displayed in an interactive "game" format (e.g. like moving a character through a maze). The child or adult then "plays" the game by controlling their attention. When their brainwaves are in a focused and relaxed state of arousal, the character moves; when the brain waves become too slow or agitated, the game pauses until the player self-regulates toward the target state of arousal.

This simple feedback teaches the brain to stay in a relaxed yet alert state. These changes are short lived at first, and then become more enduring after a number of sessions. Neurotherapy enhances cognitive flexibility and self-control. Furthermore, a number of peer reviewed research studies demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach to healthier functioning (e.g., to improve concentration, improve relaxation). A minimum of 20 sessions is recommended for statistically and clinically significant results, however some clients report positive benefits after very few sessions and for some conditions, long term training is required.